Chapter 62: Oncology II - Common Cancers & Cancer Treatment Flashcards
When treatment has destroyed all known tumors
Complete response
When at least 30% of the tumor was eliminated
Partial response
The majority of adverse effects are due to damaging effects on non-cancerous, rapidly-dividing cells in the:
GI tract, hair follicles and bone marrow, where the production of blood cells take place
Which drugs can increase the risk of skin cancer
Immunosuppressants (including many transplant drugs)
What does each letter stand for in ABCDE for educating patients on suspicious skin spots?
Asymmetry Border Color Diameter Evolving
What is the top risk factor for breast cancer
Being female
What are the modifiable RF for breast cancer
Being overweight (in postmenopausal women)
Low physical activity
Poor nutrition
Tobacco use
Which genes normally suppress tumor growth in breast cancer
BRCA1 and BRCA2
Inherited mutations in BRCA1 and BRCA2 prevent:
cell repair and causes dramatic increase in breast cancer incidence
What is Klinefelter Syndrome
A congenital condition in which males have one Y chromosome and two or more X chromosomes (normally, they only have one X and one Y)
They produce more estrogen than is typical for males & have higher risk of breast cancer
For breast cancer, hormone sensitive (e.g., ER+) cancer for premenopausal women is treated with
Tamoxifen
For breast cancer, hormone sensitive (e.g., ER+) cancer for postmenopausal women is treated with
Aromatase Inhibitor
What drug class does tamoxifen fall under
SERM
Is tamoxifen an estrogen agonist or antagonist in breast cells?
Antagonist
MOA of aromatase inhibitors
Reduce estrogen production by blocking the aromatase enzyme that catalyzes the conversion of androgens to estrogens
Which SERM is used for breast cancer prevention (NOT treatment)
Raloxifene
What is another use of raloxifene & it’s benefit
Used for osteoporosis prevention and treatment in postmenopausal women
Increases bone density
Raloxifene is not first-line for osteoporosis because of what SE/risks
Hot flashes
Clotting risk
In some circumstances, a premenopausal woman will be put into menopause by taking a GnRH agonist. What is the MOA of GnRH agonists
Decrease LH and FSH, which suppresses ovarian estradiol production. This makes aromatase inhibitors a reasonable option
The HER2 oncogene promotes:
Breast tumor growth
What formulation does fulvestrant come in
IM injection
Tamoxifen should not be used with
2D6 inhibitors, such as fluoxetine and paroxetine
What drug can be used with tamoxifen to treat hot flashes
Venlafaxine
Tamoxifene boxed warnings
Increased risk of uterine or endometrial cancer and thrombotic events (also raloxifene)
Side effects of tamoxifene and fulvestrant
hot flashes/night sweats, vaginal bleeding/spotting, vaginal discharge/dryness/pruritis, decreased libido, decreased bone density (premenopausal women) - supplement with calcium/vitamin D
Which SERM drug is teratogenic
Tamoxifen
Anastrozole brand name
Arimidex
Which drug class has a higher risk of CVD: SERMs or Aromatase Inhibitors
AIs
Which drug class has a higher risk of osteoporosis: SERMs or Aromatase Inhibitors
AIs
Side effects of aromatase inhibitors
Hot flashes/night sweats, arthralgia/myalgia
What drugs are contraindicated with any history of breast cancer
Estrogen-containing meds
Androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) for prostate cancer is also called
Chemical castration
Androgen deprivation therapy is achieved with either:
GnRH antagonist alone or a GnRH agonist (initially taken with an antiandrogen)
Another name for GnRH agonists
LHRH agonists
The initial surge of testosterone caused by GnRH agonists is called
Tumor flare
Symptoms include bone pain and difficulty urinating
To prevent tumor flares with GnRH agonists, what can be given in combination
Antiandrogens for several weeks at the start of a GnRH agonist
Leuprolide brand name
Lupron Depot
Goserelin brand name
Zoladex
Concerns with GnRH agonists
Decrease bone density; supplement with calcium/vitamin D
Tumor flares
GnRH agonist side effects
Hot flashes, impotence, gynecomastia, bone pain
Degarelix, a GnRH antagonist, has what concerns
Osteoporosis risk
No tumor flares